During the recent Jackson County Work Session a proposed resolution was mentioned and briefly discussed.

Commission Chairman Tim Guffey stated that if something is going to be done about the county’s current financial state, it’s going to have to be done immediately. Guffey questioned if the Commission wanted to do a one cent sales tax, a half cent sales tax, or a redistribution of the current sales tax. Commissioner Jason Venable stated that if something isn’t sent to the delegation soon to see if they’ll take action, they’ll run out of time. Guffey stated they’re past the point of needing to do something, something has to be done.

Commissioner Melinda Gilbert stated that if the Legislative Delegation would just agree to redistribute the current tax, which the county receives none of , due to growth, it would be ideal, but no one is willing to work with that.

Venable stated that if the gas tax is passed that’s proposed by the State, the citizens are not going to be agreeable to adding an additional tax. Guffey stated that they can’t dictate how they move forward on the gas tax, they need a growth tax. Venable stated if they retained 12.5 percent of the current two cents for the rest of this fiscal year and all of 2020 and in 2021 if they were allowed to retain 25 percent of the two cent tax that’s already collected, it would give the county 1/2 cent of sales tax. Currently it’s predicted that this county tax is predicted to be $13 million this year.

Commissioner Mike Sisk stated that he would love to sit down with all county municipalities, the Jackson County Board of Education, City Board of Education because everyone thinks that the county receives this two percent tax. However, four percent is state, three percent is city and the two percent is divided between the county and city schools. Sisk stated if all municipalities were met with, people would understand the county doesn’t retain anything. He stated that the county schools have gained $16 million since Google.

Guffey stated that with the four week requirement to advertise, there is no time to call community meetings. Sisk stated the Legislative Delegation would have to see more input from municipalities and everyone agree. Venable stated that everyone is not going to agree, but with the road conditions they need help now. He said he is prepared to send a resolution now.

Guffey stated that he’s good with a sales tax earmarked or requesting the school tax to be redistributed and earmarked.

Venable also mentioned SeniorRx, the Council on Aging and senior transportation. At this point, it is believed without funding, those programs will close within the next few years. Venable also stated he’d like to see funding used for maintenance and operation of the jail and roads and bridges.

Commissioner Danny Rich stated something has to be done fast.

The county’s roadside litter program was also discussed. Guffey stated that there is a major litter problem with trash on the sides of the roads and “dumping sites.”

Venable stated that at one time game camera’s were mentioned and he feels the idea needs to be discussed further. Venable stated that he would also like to do some educational courses in schools and schedule clean up days. Venable suggested possibly sponsoring an essay or poster contest for students, regarding litter.

Guffey stated that he’s good with a sales tax earmarked or requesting the school tax to be redistributed and earmarked.

Venable also mentioned SeniorRx, the Council on Aging and senior transportation. At this point, it is believed without funding, those programs will close within the next few years. Venable also stated he’d like to see funding used for maintenance and operation of the jail and roads and bridges.

Commissioner Danny Rich stated something has to be done fast.

The county’s roadside litter program was also discussed. Guffey stated that there is a major litter problem with trash on the sides of the roads and “dumping sites.”

Venable stated that at one time game cameras were mentioned, and he feels the idea needs to be discussed further. Venable stated that he would also like to do some educational courses in schools and schedule clean up days. Venable suggested possibly sponsoring an essay or poster contest for students regarding litter.